MLB Player News

Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

Merrill hadn't homered in 15 games coming into Saturday, but he snapped that drought with a solo shot to center field in the third inning. The second-year outfielder's power output has been tepid for over two months -- he has just three long balls over his past 51 contests after going deep five times in his first 29 games of the campaign. Merrill certainly looks to be going through a bit of a sophomore slump, as his steals are also down (from 16 last year to just one this season) and his OPS (.734) is nearly 100 points lower than the .826 mark he posted as a rookie.

Misiorowski (tibia) said he expects to miss two starts before returning to the active roster when first eligible Aug. 15, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Misiorowski's placement on the IL on Sunday came as a surprise after the Brewers had previously confirmed him as their starter for the contest, but the rookie right-hander acknowledged that he hadn't recovered as well as expected after being struck in the shin by a line drive in his previous start Monday. Assuming that the 23-year-old is able to continue throwing while he's on the shelf, his goal of returning in the minimum 15 days seems realistic. Milwaukee called up Logan Henderson to start Sunday, and he should be in line for another turn through the rotation next weekend versus the Mets.

Muncy (knee) could return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Muncy has gone 3-for-12 with a walk, a run and an RBI over four games during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. After manning third base in those contests, Muncy is scheduled to serve as Oklahoma City's designated hitter Sunday, and the Dodgers will reassess him after the contest. Once he's cleared to return, Muncy should displace rookie Alex Freeland as the Dodgers' everyday third baseman.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

The Dodgers appear to be prioritizing rookie Alex Freeland in the infield over Rojas at the moment, as the veteran will sit for the second time in the series. Both players will see their opportunities trend downward when Max Muncy (knee) returns from the injured list however, which is likely to happen during the upcoming week.

Hernandez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Hernandez will head to the bench for the first time since July 22, ending a stretch of nine consecutive starts for the 32-year-old outfielder. The newly acquired Alex Call will replace Hernandez in right field and bat ninth.

The Brewers recalled Henderson from Triple-A Nashville, and he's slated to start Sunday's game against the Nationals, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Henderson will take over the rotation spot of Jacob Misiorowski, who was unexpectedly placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a left tibia contusion. Though Misiorowski has drawn far more buzz, Henderson was arguably just as impressive over his first four MLB starts, logging a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB in 21 innings. Since returning to Nashville, Henderson's ratios haven't been quite as eye-popping (4.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 47:13 K:BB in 47.2 innings). He should be in line for at least two turns through the rotation, and maybe more if Misiorowski isn't ready to return from the IL when first eligible.

The Brewers placed Misiorowski on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a left tibia contusion.

Misiorowski took a Seiya Suzuki comebacker off his shin in the first inning Monday, and even though he remained in that game and had been confirmed to start Sunday's series finale against Washington, the star rookie evidently didn't bounce back from the injury as the Brewers had hoped. He'll be sidelined through at least mid-August. Right-hander Logan Henderson was recalled from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move and will replace Misiorowski in the rotation Sunday.

Richardson was brought up from Triple-A Louisville to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

After the Speedway Classic was suspended Saturday in the first inning following multiple rain delays, Atlanta and Cincinnati will resume the game Sunday. Because starter Chase Burns won't pitch after tossing a perfect inning a day earlier, the Reds will lean on a slew of relievers to get them through the contest. Richardson will be a candidate to head back to Louisville immediately after the contest.

Vasquez (3-5) was charged with the loss against the Cardinals on Saturday after surrendering five runs on eight hits and no walks across four-plus innings. He struck out three.

The right-hander was staked a 4-0 lead after three innings, but he allowed five runs across the fourth and fifth frames before being pulled. The performance ended a run of four straight starts allowing two runs or fewer, though Vasquez hasn't lasted five innings since July 4 and is without a victory in his past 13 outings. The right-hander's next start lines up for next weekend versus Boston, though he could be replaced in the rotation by Nestor Cortes (elbow).

The Reds optioned Benson to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

After Saturday's MLB Speedway Classic was suspended in the first inning due to rain, the Reds will be in need of an extra arm for the continuation of the contest Sunday. Having two minor-league options appears to have worked against Benson, who will head to the minors as Cincinnati brings right-hander Lyon Richardson aboard as its 27th man for the Speedway Classic. Benson should be back with the big club later this month.